Size Leedsichthys

a twelve metre-long leedsichthys compared human being

leedsichthys largest known member of osteichthyes or bony fishes, exception of largest descendants of land-dwelling tetrapodomorpha (e.g. giant sauropods , whales), not commonly thought of fishes . largest extant non-tetrapodomorph bony fish ocean sunfish, mola mola, being weight of 2 tonnes order of magnitude smaller leedsichthys. extant king of herrings might rival leedsichthys in length more elongated animal. lack of preserved vertebral column has made difficult estimate exact length of leedsichthys. arthur smith woodward, described type specimen in 1889, estimated specimen bmnh p.10000 of around 9 metre long individual, comparing tail of leedsichthys, having preserved height of 274 centimetres (108 inches), pachycormid, hypsocormus. length of leedsichthys not historically subject of attention, reference being made woodward himself when in 1937 indicated again 9 metres (29.5 feet) on museum label of bmnh p.10000. however, in 1986, david martill compared bones of leedsichthys pachycormid had discovered, asthenocormus. unusual proportions of specimen gave wide range of possible sizes. low 13.5 metres (44.3 feet), extrapolating gill basket resulted in estimated length of 27.6 metres (90.6 feet) leedsichthys specimen nhm p.10156 (the earlier bmnh p.10156). martill considered higher estimate plausible size of largest individuals. subsequently, length of thirty metres (hundred feet) mentioned in popular science publications, 1 high thirty-five metres (115 feet).

liston in studies concluded lower estimates. documentation of historical finds , excavation of ariston , complete specimen ever star pit near whittlesey, peterborough, support woodward s figures of between 9 , 10 metres (29.5 , 33 feet). ariston pectoral fins 1005 millimetres (39.6 inches) apart, indicating narrow body of no excessive size, though thought have been 22 metres (72 feet) long. in 2007 liston stated specimens indicated lengths between 7 , 12 metres (23 , 39 feet). linear extrapolation gill basket flawed because gills grow disproportionally in size, having increase surface allometrically ensure oxygen supply of body increasing in volume third power. growth ring structures within remains of leedsichthys have indicated have taken 21 25 years reach these lengths, , isolated elements other specimens showed maximum size of on 16 m (52 ft) not unreasonable. in 2013 new study liston found specimens between 17 , 31 years old. specimen glahm v3363, big meg , have been between 11.4–14.9 m (37–49 ft). exception nhm p.10156. gill basket, preserved width of 114 centimetres (44.9 inches) , height of 1545 millimetres (60.8 inches), indicated body length of 16.5 m (54 ft) , age of 45 years.